Automatic dry-cell hammer.



W. G. WAITT.

AUTOMATIC DRY CELL HAMMER.

APPLICATION FILED IuNE I9, I9I3.

1,188,051. I PaIenIed May I6, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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APPLICATION FILED 1UNET9, |913.

1,183,051, Patented 111ay16,1916.`

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES IN VEN TUR QM WALTER G. wAn-T l BYQM A OHNE Y THE coLuMulAPLANOGRAPH co.. WASHINGTON. n. c.

W. G. WAITT.

AUTOMATIC DRY CELL HAMMER.

APPLICATION FILED IuIIE I9. 1913.

1 1 83,05 1 Patented May 16, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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W` G.' WAITT. AUTOMATIC DRY CELL HAMMER. APPLICATION FILED IUNE I9.1913. 1,183,051. M i Patented May16,19161.

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1 v I l K 6160 W A74 wlT/vESsES.- INVENTUM M WALTER G. WAITT By A @9m MWA HNEY r1-1E COLUMBIA PLANoaR/PH co4, WASHKNGTON. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER G. WAITT, 0F FREMONT, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T0 NATIONAL CARBONCGIVIPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

Specification of Letters atent.

Patented May 16, 1916.

Application ledl'une 19, 1913. Serial No. 774,584.

State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement inAutomatic Dry- Cell Hammers, of whichthe following is a full, clear, andexact description.

This invention relates to apparatus for delivering the final blow on drycells before the seal is applied.

In the manufacture of dry batteries, a mix consistingprincipally ofcarbon, a depolarizer material` such as pyrolusite, and electrolytematerial, ispacked in a paper-lined zinc container around a centralcarbon electrode.Y In order to obtain batteries of a uniform re-Vsistance and high amperage, it is necessary to have the mix denselypacked, and it should be `equally compacted in each cell. Thisrequirement is substantially fulfilled by the initial tamping andfilling process, but during subsequent handling, the mix is frequentlyjarred loose. Before sealing, the cells are usually hammered by aworkman who delivers several blows on the top of the cell with a malletand hollow punch fitting over the carbon electrode. It is impossible forthe workman to deliver uniform blows on the cells and the amount whichthey are compacted by this final treatment varies considerably.

To obviate this diiiiculty, l have devised a rotary hammer toautomaticallyr deliver the final blows to the dry cell, before applyingthe seal which consists usually of several layers such as paper,sawdust, pitch, etc. The apparatus is adapted equally well for cellslhaving a long lining, which extends over the top of theI container, andis folded down around' the electrode, or for short lined cells in whichthe lining reaches only a short distance above-the top of the mix.y Inthe latter type, a paper disk is sometimes placed over the mix beforeysubmitting to the final tamping and sealing operations.

Inf the Adrawings: -Fi-gure 1 is a front view of the apparatus. Fig. v2s an end view taken from the right of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a plan view. Fig. 4L is a perspective view of a part of theright hand side of theapparatus. Fig. 5 is a cross sectionalview of the carrying plate and itssupporting means. Fig. 6 is an isometric view of the plate feedingmechanism with certain parts removed. Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectionof one can holder and part of the supporting plate. Fig. S is aperspective view of the holder shown in Fig. 7 Fig. 9 is a cross-sectiono-f the apparatus for alining the cans.

Referring to Figs; l, 2 and 3, a suitable frame-work fory the tamper isbuilt of angle irons riveted or bolted together in a convenient manner.Four `upright angle irons l, shown with their corners placed toward thecenter of the apparatus, are conveniently joined at the sidesby thehorizontal angles 2, 3 and 4i, and at the ends by shorter angles 5. Anendless chain 6. passes around four identical toothed wheels 7, 8, 9 and10y and is propelled by a pulley 11 havingY the usual idler l2 inconnection with it. l/Vheels 7 and 8 placed externally to the fra-merotate respectivelyY with the shafts 13 and 1l which are supported bybearings 15 fastened on the angles 2. Shafts 16 and 17 carry the wheels9 and 10 and are supported by the bearings 18 fastened to theu-prights 1. Two identical mutilated gears 19 and 2O are centrallymounted between the bearings l5 on the shafts 13 and 14, and operateracks 21-and 22. Both racks are located on the same side of theirrespective mutilated gears 19 and 20 and-in the same relative positionso that the racks are simultaneously raised. They are rigidly fastenedby means of U shaped pieces 27 to the rectangular lifting rods 23', 2l;

Projecting arms 25 attached to these rods engage suitable projections26(Figs. 2 and 4L) on the mutilated gears, best shown in Fig. 4i, to causethe latter to properly mesh with the teeth ofthe racks. Guide wheels 28may be supported on shafts 29 in the same manner as shaftsA 13 and 14,to keep the racks and gears in proper relation.v

At the end of the rods'2'3` and 24, cross heads or plungers 30 and 31are attached which move between guide ways 32 fastened between themembers 2 and 3. The V shaped grooves and projections 0n the plunger andguides may be conveniently adjusted by means of bolts in the base 32.The weight of the plungers may be altered when desired by means ofadditional weights 33 which may be conveniently bolted to the plunger.At the end of the plungers are attached hollow punches 34 and 34 of asuitable diameter to lit into the dry cell containers. Bumpers 35 may befastened to angle irons 35 which are bolted on'each side of the guideways. The angles are spaced so as to engage the weights 33 and thusprevent the plunger from falling below a certain point.

The arrangement described constitutes the driving mechanism forreciprocating the plungers and the manner in which a table 36 on whichthe dry cells are attached is intermittently rotated will now bedescribed.

The table 36 rotates about an axis 37 placed midway between the centerof the punches 34 and 34. As shown in cross section in Fig. 5, the tableis supported by the frame upon angles 38 placed across the angles 4. Astationary steel plate 39 shown rectangular in form ts in the angles 33and has a groove therein adapted to receive bearing balls 40. An upperplate 41 having a similar groove in its lower surface to receive theballs is placed above the plate 39 and bolted or otherwise fastened to aratchet wheel 42. The diameter of this wheel is shown somewhat largerthan that of the plate 41 and teeth 43 are cut in the lower surface nearthe outer edge. Table 36 is attached by means of spacers 43 to theratchet wheel so that it is rotatable about the axis 37 upon the ballbearings.

The device for turning the table about the axis consists of a wheel 44(Fig. 1) fitted on the end of the continuously rotating shaft 17 havinga connecting rod 45 eccentrically fastened thereto, by means of a pin. Afeeding arm 46 is mounted on the aXis 37 as shown in Fig. 6 and isjoined to the conneeting rod 45 by means of a connection 47 to allow therod to move in two planes at right angles to each other as will beunderstood from the drawings. At the other end of the arm a dog 43 ispivoted between suitable projections 50. A spring 49 keeps the dog inengagement with the teeth 43 and at each reciprocation of the connectingrod 45, the dog is moved so as to turn the ratchet and the connectedtable with its dry cells, through a space corresponding to the distancebetween two adjacent cells.

The dry cells 51, Fig. 5 are placed in holders 52 attached to the table36 as will be described in detail later. A plurality of equi-distantholders are shown and the number of teeth on the ratchet 42 correspondstherewith so that each revolution of the driving pulley moves the cansforward the correct distance. The mutilated gear is so adjusted that theplunger drops during the period that the table is stationary. Howf ever,in order to keep the cans in alinement with the punch during thisperiod, a number of notches 53 corresponding to the number of holdersare cut in the edge of the table 36 so as to coperate with a catch 54actuated by a spring attached to the arm 54. This catch is mounted on ashaft 55 in a position to engage the notches 53 successively. The catchis held in the notch by its spring during the stationary period of thetable and released by means of a cam- 56 rotating with the shaft 17.These parts are adjusted so as to release the catch just previous to thetime when the plate is rotated, that is, while the plunger is beingraised.

It is desirable to provide supports around the periphery of the plate,especially under the plungers. For this purpose, four uprights 57 havingbraces 58 are provided, two of which are placed directly below theplungers and the other two at 9() degrees therefrom. The wheels 59 arefastened in these supports for the plate to roll on. In this manner, thestrain due to the impact of the falling plungers is borne by thesupports.

A convenient manner of fastening the dry cell holders to the carryingplate is shown in Figs. 7 and 8. A plate 60 is bolted to the table andhas a raised portion 61 adapted to fit into the slightly raised bottomof the zinc can as shown in Fig. 7 in dotted lines. An angularsupporting member 62 is secured to the plate to hold a cylinder 63 whichmay be made of a short piece of iron pipe of a suitable diameter toreceive the Zinc can. The bottom of the cylinder is raised a shortdistance above the base 60 so as to avoid an accumulation of dirt. Theouter edge of the upper surface of the cylin der 63 is cut away, asshown, to facilitate the placing of the cans-in the holders.

The diameter of the punches 34 and 34', being almost as large as thecontainers thereunder, an alining means such as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and9 is used to prevent the falling punch from damaging the edge of thezinc container whenever lthe alinement of these is imperfect. However,such alining means is not absolutely necessary and may be omitted ifdesired. This alining mechanism consists of a clutch formed by twopivoted arms 64 h'aving members 65 attached to the lower end of it andadapted to grip the can. This gripping arrangement is preferably formedby two arcuate members, each being somewhat less than the arc of asemi-circle and of approximately the same radius as the container. Thevarms are pivoted between vstandards 67 supported by angle irons 68bolted across the angles 3. The arms of the clutch are held out ofengagement with the cans by the action of springs 69 which lit in theholes 70 in the arms. Small projecting pins 71 engage one end of thesprings in the holes and the upper ends 72 of the arms engage the angleirons 35A to prevent further movement. At the upper end of the arms,wheels or projections 73 are attached which are moved by the camsurfaces 74 fastened on each side of the plungers so as to cause theclutch to move inward and thus grip the container to hold it rigid andin position for the punch to enter without damaging the edge of thecontainer.

Assuming the cells previously packed with the mix are placed in theholders successively at the point A, the operation is as follows: Thedriving pulley rotated in any manner turns the table 36 by means of themechanism previously described, and the cans are fed in by worlnnen atpoint A, and carried around in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 3until they finally come successively under the punch 84. Assuming now,the mutilated gears 19 and 2O and the racks 21 and 22 to be in positionas shown in Figs. 1 and 4, in which the teeth of the mutilated gearshave just ceased to mesh with the racks, the plunger 31 with theattached punch 34 delivers a blow on the mix in the can directlythereunder. Vhile the plunger is falling, the mutilated gear willcontinue to rotate, but the smooth surface allows the plunger to dropfreely between the guides 32. Vhile the plunger is dropping, the springactuated catch 51- holds the table stationary. As the cams 74 on theplungers pass the projections 73, the clutch will be moved to grip thecontainer and adjust it so as to be directly in line with the punch 84.The same arrangement is used under the punch 34;. Soon after the plungerhas delivered the blow to the cell beneath, the teeth on the gear 2Oengage the rack and the plunger is raised back to the position shown inFig. 1. During this time, the cam 56 removes the catch from the notch inthe table and the latter is stepped around to bring another can inposition to be compacted by the punch 31 when it again drops. The firstmentioned container is finally stepped around until it comes under thesecond plunger 30 where it is again submitted to a further blow from thepunch 34. After it is stepped up from under the second plunger theworkman removes it from the holder. In this way, the cans aresuccessively passed under the two punches to receive two blowstherefrom. One or more workmen by properly feeding and removing thecells keep the apparatus in continuous operation. Since difficulty mightbe encountered in meshing the racks 21 and 22 with the mutilated gears,the pins 26 projecting from the face of the gear and the projections 25fastened to the lifting rod Q4. are placed in such a relation that theyengage each other justprevious to the engagement of the gears and racksso as to cause them to mesh accurately. After moving a short distancefarther, the teeth on the gears and racks are in position to assume theburden of lifting the plungers.

vWhile I have shown two punches it is, of course within the scope of myinvention to use more than this number or only one if desired.

The various parts are shown by way of example and it must be understoodthat equivalents can be substituted therefor.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In apparatus for hammering dry cells, a movable support for thecells, a movable hammer to deliver a blow on the dry cell contents andmeans for'centering the can thereunder, said means being operated by thehammer in its working stroke.

2. In apparatus for hammering dry cells, a movable support, can holdersadapted to loosely aline the cell cans, a movable hammer adapted todeliver a blow on the dry cell contents, and means for accuratelyalining` the said cans when they have been moved to a position undersaid hammer.

3. In apparatus for hammering dry cells, a movable support fon thecells, a reciprocating hammer for delivering a blow on the dry cellcontents and a pair of oppositely disposed arms adapted to engage thecells to center them, said arms being operated by the hammer on itsworking stroke.

4..In apparatus for hammering dry cells, a rotating table having holdersfor the cells, said holders making a loose iit therewith, means forintermittently rotating the table, means for locking the table againstmovement when the said moving means is inactive, a reciprocating hammer,means for raising the hammer and forreleasing it to deliver a blow onthe cell thereunder, and a centering device to center the can in theloose fitting holder when under the hammer.

5. In apparatus for hammering dry cells, a movable support adapted tocarry said dry cells, a reciprocating hammer adapted to deliver a blowto the contents of said cells when they are moved thereunder, pivotedarms on opposite sides of the said hammer, projections on each of saidarms, and cams on the hammer adapted to engage said projections to swingthe arms to engage the cells as the hammer moves toward the said cells.

6. In apparatus Jfor hammering dry cells, gaging the cylindrical portionof the cell,

a movable table for the cells and a holder said members being spacedapart. 10 attached thereto having a space between the In testimonTwhereof, I hereunto aiX my table and holder. signature.

y7. In an apparatus for hammering` dry WALTER G. WAI'IT. cells, amovable table for the cells and a Witnesses:

holder attached thereto having a bottoni LESTER IVILSON,y

engaging member and a member for enT AGNES ROSE GABEL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of lntenta,

Washington, D. C.

